Dr. Dominick J. Fanani, 94, died Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Arbor View at Willow Valley. Dr. Fanani was born in Mt. Hope, WV on September 12, 1916 but grew up in Windber, PA. He graduated from Windber High School in 1934 in the middle of the Great Depression. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Edinboro University (PA) in 1942, his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Personnel from Rutgers University in 1954 and his Doctor’s Degree in Art Education from Pennsylvania State University in 1964.
During World War II, he went overseas as a Medical Administration Officer. His medical unit was attached to a B29 bomber squadron on Tinian Island in the Marianas. It was on Tinian that the two atomic bombs that ended the Pacific War were assembled and on Tinian that the two B29’s carrying the bombs were based.
During the early 1950’s, he was a Training Director, a GS-9 Federal Civil Service position in Belle Mead General Depot in New Jersey.
He taught art in grades 1 through 12 in public schools of Westfield, NY, Fairfield, CT and North Allegheny, PA. In 1961, he joined the Art faculty at Millersville University, where he specialized first teaching Pottery and then in teaching Jewelry. He established the Jewelry program there.
He was active in faculty governance, service as President of the Millersville Faculty Association, as a Faculty Senator and as a member of several campus-wide faculty committees. He was also active on the state level, becoming President of the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. He retired from Millersville University in 1982 after 20½ years of service. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster.
Surviving is a brother, James R. Fagnini of Flourtown, PA; two sisters, Jeanette Grisin of Windber and Amelia Alba of Philadelphia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Orr Auditorium at Willow Valley Manor, 211 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA with the Rev. Charles Cummings officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Fanani’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Arrangements by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 394-4097. To send an online condolence to the family, visit our website at:
www.kasnyderfuneralhome.com